Garment starching machine



9 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. M. SCHULTZ GARMENT STARCHING MACHINE May 6, 1952 Filed June 2, 1950 y 5, 1952 R. M. SCHULTZ 2,595,710

GARMENT STARCHING MACHINE Filed June 2, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT R.

y 6, 1952 R. M. SCHULTZ 2,595,710

GARMENT STARCHING MACHINE Filed June 2, 1950 9 sheet's-sgeet s IN VEN TOR.

y 6, 1952 R'. M. SCHULTZ 2,595,710

GARMENT STARCHING MACHINE Filed June 2, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 R Q i "a Q $5 IN V EN TOR.

Mays, I R. M. SCHULTZ 2,595,710

GARMENT STARCHING MACHINE Filed June 2, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 i y 2a 7 M 20/ m y.-

y 6, 1952 R. M. SCHULTZ 2,595,710

GARMENT STARCHING MACHINE Filed June 2, 1950 9 Sheets-Sheet v R. M. SCHULTZ GARMENT STARCHING MACHINE May 6, 1952 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed June 2, 1950 May 6', 1952 R. M. SCHULTZ GARMENT STARCHING MACHINE Filed June 2, 1950 9 Sheet-Sheet 9 Patented May 6, 1952 GARMENT STA'RCHING MACHINE Roy M. Schultz, Chicago, 111., assignor to G. H. Bishop Company, Chicago, 111., a. corporation of Illinois Application June-2, 1950, Serial Nari-65,849

. 19 Claims. I This invention relates to laundry equipment and more particularly to a machine for starching garments andthe like. 7

Variousmachines of thisty'pe have heretofore been proposed-which are of such a design as to requirea skilled person to effectively operate the machine and cause unnecessary delay in the starching operation. Furthermore these machines fail to provide necessary safety features and are not readily-adapted to accommodate garments or"articles of various types and: sizes.

Thus it is one of the objects of this invention' to provide a machine which may be readily operated'by one not possessed: of any particular skill in the method of starching garments and the like.-

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine which is" possessed of adequate foolproof safety devices;

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine incorporating a revolvablymounted container for starcheous solutions which enables the'operator to select either a dilute or highly concentrated starch solution in which a portion of the article to be' starched is imme'rsed.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine having a detachably' mounted thermostatically controlled heating unit for maintaining the starchy solutions at a predetermined temperature.

Itisi a still further object-of this invention to provide a machine having means for'regulating the extracting pressure to be exerted on the starched article.

It. is a still further object of this inventionto provide amachine which is adapted to effectively starcharticlesofvarious types and sizes.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a machine which will automatically dispose of the article subsequent to its being starched and extracted.-

Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings and appended claims. i

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention a machine is"provided for starching garments and the like comprising a supportingmounted on said housing is a protective gatewhich-when in its operative position is interposed between the container and the extracting and feeding means and partially encloses the latter.

The protective gateis power actuated and causes the exrac'ting and feeding means to operate only When it is partially enclosed by the gate. Dual hand controlsfor'actua'ting the gate into its operative position are mounted on the frame and remotely positioned with respect to the gate and the extracting: and feeding means- The'control's must be simultaneously manipulated by'both hands of the operator to'set the machinein operation.

For a more complete understanding of this ill-'- vention reference should now be made to the drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the machine shown in its inoperative position;

Fig; 2 is a side elevational view of the front or operator side of themachine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3ris a right end view of the machine shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the machine shown in Fig. 1;.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1 p c Fig. 6 is; a frag-mfintary left end view ofthe machine shown in Fig. 2

Fig.7 isa fragmentary right end view of the machine'shown in Fig. 2;

Fig; 8 is a" sectional view of the machine taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view of the machine-takenalong line 9'-"9 of Fig; 2,

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary left end view of themachine shown in Fig. 2 with a portion of the housing-and framec'ut away Fig II- is a: fragmentaryview' of the operating camand valve assembly, as seen from the left side ofthe machine shown inFig'. 2;

Fig. 12 is an end view* of the" assembly shown in Fig; ll;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary seeti'onal view of the frame taken along line l3--|'3 of Fig. 1"0;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary viewofthe linkage assembly far; the dual hand controls; v

Fig. I5 is a fragmentary view of the linkage assembly talienalong' line IS -l5; of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view of stacker assembly takenalong line Iii-l6 of Fig; '1;

Fig. 1'7 lS' likeFig. 16 but showing the stacke assembly in a tilted or"discharging"position:

Fig. 18 is a perspective view'of'one form'ofthe gate and garment immersing member- Fig. 19 is' a; diagrammatic view of the relative positions of the cams when the machine is inoperative;

Fig. 20 is like Fig. 19 but shows the relative positions of the cams when the extracting rollers are extracting;

Fig. 21 is a schematic diagram of the pneumatic system for the machine;

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a modified form of protective gate and garment immersing member;

Fig. 23 is a fragmentary top plan view of a modified form of recessed basin for a starchy solution and a protective gate and garment feeding assembly;

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary section of the modified basin and protective gate and garment feeding assembly taken along line 2424 of Fig. 23;

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary view of the drive mechanism for the protective gate and garment feeding assembly taken along line 25-25 of Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary perspective end view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 25;

Fig. 27 is a perspective view of the bottom roller of the garment feeding assembly shown in Figs. 23 and 24; and

Fig. 28 is a fragmentary perspective view of a part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 26.

Referring now to the drawings or more particularly to Figs. 1 and a starching machine for use in commercial laundries and the like is shown embodying the following basic parts; a supporting frame having a fiat top 2|, a recessed basin 22 formed in said top, a pair of elongated extracting rollers 23a and 23b positioned adjacent and to one side of said basin, an open-sided housing 24 for the rollers and associated mechanism mounted on said top and extending vertically therefrom and a conveyor-type table or stacker unit supported by said frame and housing and extending laterally therefrom. v

One type of recessed basin 22, as more clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 10 is circular in form and is adapted to receive a pair of cooperating semicylindrical containers 26 and 21. Container 26 holds a highly concentrated starch solution and container 21 holds a dilute starch solution. Thus, depending on the type garment to be starched, the operator selects the appropriate solution by merely rotating the containers until the desired one is adjacent the rollers. A spill-way 22, see Fig. 8, is provided beneath roller 23b to catch and return to the container the solution as it is extracted from the garment by the rollers. Formed in the bottom 29 of the basin, see Fig. 10, is a spout 32 for allowing any starch solution which has collected in the basin to be removed therefrom. A flexible hose 33 is provided having one end thereof connected to spout 32 and the other end thereof secured to a flap 34 which is hingedly mounted at 35 to the side of the frame 20. When the stopper 32' is removed from the spout for draining the basin, the operator pulls out the flap 34, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10, so as to enable the excess solution'to be discharged into a suitable receptacle, not shown.

A heating element 28 is detachably mounted on the underside of the basin and is'held thereagainst by means of spaced guides 3|. The heating element is provided with a thermostat control 30, so that the operator may maintain the starch solutions at a predetermined temperature.

The rollers 23a and b as heretofore mentioned are positioned adjacent and to one side of the basin 22. Roller 23b is the driven roller and assumes a relatively fixed transverse position with respect to top 2| and substantially tangential with respect to circular basin 22. The ends of roller 23b are rotatably mounted in bearings 35 and 36. Bearing 36 is mounted within a unit 36 which serves as a support for the upper roller assembly to be described more fully hereinafter. Shaft 31 for roller 23b extends longitudinally through bearing 36 and unit 36' and terminates outside of the housing 24. Keyed to shaft 31 adjacent unit 36 and within housing 24 is a sprocket 38 through which driving power for the roller is transmitted. A pulley wheel 40 is keyed to the terminating end of shaft 31 and serves to transmit power to the stacker unit 25. The function of sprocket 38 and pulley wheel 40 will be described in more detail later.

Unit 36, as before mentioned, supports the upper roller assembly and comprises a vertically extending section 4| and an overhanging section 42, as seen in Figs. 9 and 10. Section 42 and the upper portion of section 4| are bifurcated and a block 43 holds the side portions thereof in proper spaced relation. Roller 23a is rotatably mounted in a yoke member 44 which is slideable in a vertical plane between the spaced side portions of section 42 of unit 36. Roller 23a is disposed in vertical alignment with respect to roller 23b. Roller 23a and yoke member 44 move as a unit and are actuated by an air cylinder assembly 45 which is mounted on overhanging section 42 of unit 36'. An opening 46 is provided in the bottom of the cylinder 41 through which the piston rod 48 extends. The end 53 of the rod 48 is reduced in size and is seated in a suitable opening provided in the upper side of yoke member 44. The yoke member is held in suspension between the spaced side portions of sections 4| and 42 by a pair of coil springs 5| and 52. The upper ends of the coil are secured to arms 53 and 54 which form part of the cylinder body 4'! of the actuating air cylinder assembly 45. The spaced side portions of section 42 serve as guides for the suspended yoke member 44. The upper roller 23a is normally held in its open, nonoperative position, as shown in Fig. '10 by springs 5| and 52.

Positioned on the basin side of the rollers 23a and b and within housing 24 is a vertically adjustable protective gate or shield 55. The gate is substantially L-shaped as seen in Fig. 18, and adapted when in its down position to partially enclose the basin side and operator-end of the rollers. Thus the operator is protected from accidentally having his hands or sleeve caught between the rollers while they are extracting. The side 56 of the gate 55 adjacent the basin 22 is mounted by welding or any other suitable means on a garment immersing member 51.

Spaced arms 58 and 6|] of garment immersing member 5'! extend laterally and downwardly from the bottom edge of side 55 of the gate, as seen in Fig. 18. Secured to the terminating ends of arms 58 and 53 and positioned between them is a horizontally disposed basket-like element 6|. The element 6| is formed of a rim 62 comprising straight and arcuate portions. Secured to rim 62 and extending downwardly therefrom are horizontally spaced, U-shaped grilles 55. The basket-like element 6| serves a dual purpose: (a) it immerses the garment in the solution when it is in its down position A, see Fig. 8, and (b) as the garment is withdrawn from the starch solution by the extracting rollers 23a and b, the garment will tend to be squeezed between the grilles 55 and cause the solution to 5 be impregnated more evenly throughout thesubme rged portion of the garment.

The upper portion of the garment immersing member-51 extends above the upper edge of side 56 of gate 55, as seen in Figs. 8 and 9. A pair of spaced wheels 66 are rotatably' mounted on theupper portion of member 51. Disposed beneath wheels 66 and rotatably mounted on the middle portion of member 51 and behind gate 55 is asecond pair of spaced wheels 61. Wheels 66 and B1 are adapted to embrace=two sides of a vertically extending guide plate 68 which is mounted on the c'ylinder housing 41 of air cylinder assembly 45. the gate 55 and immersing member 51 movein only a verticaldirection.-

A modified form of garment immersing member 5'9-is shown in Fig, 22-. A corrugatedroller 63 formed in this instance of a plurality of disclike elements 54 arranged inside by side rela-'- tion on a common shaft, replaces the basketlike element 6| heretofore described" for member 51. A pair of depending arms 69 are provided onwhich roller 63 is rotatably mounted. Roller 63 serves the same purposes as above enumerated for basket-like element GI.

Immersing member 51 is actuated by air cylinder I which is secured to section 62 of .the unit 36'. The piston rod ii of cylinder I0 is secured to the middle portion of member A single coil spring I2 positioned adjacent cylinder 10,-serves to normally hold the gate 55' and member 51 in an up or open position B, see Fig. 9. The upper end of the. spring. T2 is secured'to section 42 of the-unit 3S.

A lever is secured by means of a link 753 to a cross piece I4, which is positioned inter mediate wheels 66. The lever is pivotally mounted to unit 36 at point Iii, see Fig. 9. Connected to lever 75 and adjacent pivov'tal point16=isa downwardly extending rod ll which cooperates at its lower end with a cam mech-' anism which will be discussed more fully hereinafter.

A uni-directional, constant speed electric motor I8 is mounted on suitable brace members 80 at the lower portion of the supporting frame 20 for supplying driving power to the extracting roller 23b and stacker unit 25. Keyed to the exposed end of motor shaft 8| is a pull ey wheel 82 which cooperates with a belt 03; to drive wheel 84. Wheel 84 is keyed to shaft 89 which in turn is rotatably mounted on arm 20-'. Normally, belt 83 is slack and does not; transmit power from pulley wheel 82 to wheel 84. When the belt is slack, the Wheel 84 is heldfast by abrake shoe 85. which forms part of a brake and belt tightening mechanism 86, see Fig. 8 4

The mechanism 88 comprises a lever 81, which is' pivotally mounted at point 83" on a vertically extending arm 20. The arm 20' is pivotally connected at its bottom to frame 20 and is adjustably' secured at its top to the frame 2d by holding bolts I9a and b. The arm 20"is pivotally adjustable to allow the drive chain I68 to be properly mounted on the cooperatingspr'ocket wheels 38and I'IU'. The chainm'echa'nis'm' will be discussed more fully' hereinafter. Rotatably mounted on the free end of the lever 81 is a roller 90 which is adapted to engage the left hand leg SI of the belt 83, as seen in Fig. 8. Extending laterally from lever 37 and adjacent pivotal point 88' is an arm 92, the end 93 of which normally engages and deflects slightly the belt from becoming disengaged from pulley wheel Thus plate 68 insures that 82 when its slackposition Mocnteaorriever 81 intermediate roller 90 and arm 92 E an-ad and in a direction opposite fromarm: 92, is a control arm 97, the free end of which is con-- nected to the piston rod 98 of an air cylinder I00 mounted on arm 20'. When rod 98' actuated to its extended position the mechanism 85, which is normally held in braking position by means of a'coil spring IOI secured to the free end 93 of arm 92, is moved in a counterclockwise direction about point 88 to a position whereby brake shoe is released and theel'eft hand leg SI of the belt 03 is tightened byroller' 90. Power is then transmitted from the motor I8 to wheel 84.

The stacker unit 25, see Fig. l, as heretofore mentioned, is supported by the frame 20 and housing 24 and extends laterally therefrom. The unit comprises a supporting plate I02, which is mounted on the side of the frame 20, and associated supporting brace elements I03. Tilt ably mounted between the plate I02 and the outer end of the brace elements I03 is'an elongated substantially rectangular shaped framework I 04. Enclosed within and rotatably mounted on framework I04 are a pair of parallel, laterallyspaced reels I05and Hi5. the reelsis a wide conveyor belt I01, which is adapted to receive on its upper side I08 a garment subsequent to its having been extracted by rollers 23a arid b and move the garment away from the housing 24. Mounted along the backside of framework I04 and extending upwardly therefrom is an elongated guard IIO, which pre vents the garment, when it is fed onto the belt I01, from slipping off the backside of'the framework.

Keyed to the shaft of reel I05 and positioned outside of framework I04 is a spur gear III which, when the framework is in its horizontal position, meshes with a second gear I I 2 mounted therebeneath as seen more clearly in Fig 16. Gear H2 is keyed to a shaft II3 which is rotatably mounted on supporting plate I02 bybearings II4. To the outer end ofshaft H3 is keyed a pulley wheel I I5 which-ls operatively connected to pulley wheel MIL-heretofore described, by means of a belt I I6.

To effect tilting of theframework a mechanism ls'provided comprising a bell-crank leve'r I II, which is pivotally mounted at point I I8 to plate I02, see Figs 16 and 17. To the shorter leg I20 of lever II! is pivotally connected a push rod I2I, which extends upwardly along the side of housing 24, see-Fig. l', and will be discussed more fully later. To the longer or downwardly extending leg I22 of lever II! is pivotally connected a notched arm I23 which extends in substantially a horizontal direction therefrom. The free end of the arm rests ona transverse pin I24 whichv is mounted on a downwardly extending fingerlike portion I25 formed at the corresponding end of framework I04. A notch I 26, formed in the bottom-edge of arm I23 and disposed slightly to the leftof center of the arm, as seen in Fig.- 16, is adapted, when the push rod- IN is actuated It is to be noted that Cooperating with downwardly and arm I23 is moved to the left, as viewed in Fig. 16, to engage the pin I24. Prior to the notch I26 engaging pin I24, gears III and II2 are in light meshing relation. As notch I26 engages pin I24, the depending edge I26 of the notch abuts the pin and causes a clockwise force to be exerted on framework I04 thereby effecting a more positive meshing of gears III and H2. Upon subsequent upward movement of push rod I2I, the framework I04 is caused to move in a counterclockwise direction about an axis formed by pivotal connections I21 and I28, see Figs. 1 and 16. Upon the framework I04 having rotated about pivotal connections I21 and I28 to a substantially vertical position, the tip I30 of fingerlike portion I25 abuts against the bottom edge of arm I23 and causes the arm to move upwardly and the notch I26 to disengage the pin I24. The framework I04, due to the unbalancing effect of the guard III], returns to its normal horizontal position whereby gear III once again meshes with gear II2.

Push rod I2I which has the lower end pivotally connected to lever I I1 is secured at its upper end to an upwardly and laterally extending arm I29 formed on yoke 44, see Fig. 10. The movement of rod I2I therefore is controlled by air cylinder 45. An elongated slot I29 is formed in housing 24 through which arm I29 extends. The downward force exerted on push rod I2 I by arm I29 is transmitted through a coil spring I39 which embraces rod I2I. The lower end of the spring is secured to rod I2I and the upper end of the spring engages the underside of arm I29. A collar I39 is mounted on the end of the rod I2I which engages arm I29 upon upward movement thereof and causes rod I2I to move upwardly.

As will be seen in Fig. 2 the area beneath the stacker unit 25 is unobstructed and thus enables a truck or movable receptacle I3I to be positioned therebeneath and receive the garments as they fall from the conveyor belt I01 upon tilting of the framework I04.

The sequence of operation of the various parts of the machine, as hereinbefore described, is determined by a pair of cams I32 and I33 which are rotatably mounted on a common shaft I34, see Figs. 11 and 12. The shaft I34 extends horizontally from a brace I35 which extends downwardly from bearing unit 36'-, heretofore described. The cams are substantially disc-shaped and are provided with various slots and projecting lugs to be hereinafter discussed. Front cam I32 normally assumes a position as shown in Figs. 9 and 19. To commence operation of the machine, the cam I32 is actuated in a clockwise direction approximately 20 degrees by a rod I36 which is pivotally connected at point I31 to the front face of the cam. Disposed beneath cam I32 and secured to brace I35 is a conventional type, pilot air valve I38. Pivotally mounted on the housing I40 of valve I33 is a lever I4I which when depressed causes the valve I38 to open. A notch I42, formed in the upper edge of lever I4I, is adapted when the lever is depressed, to receive a roller I43 mounted on the outer periphcry of cam I32 as the cam is rotated by rod I36. The means by which rod I36 is actuated will be described more fully later. The notch I42 prevents the roller I43 from slipping oif lever I4I until sufiicient counterclockwise force is exerted on the cam I32 to unseat the roller I43 from notch I42. The intake side of Valve I38 is connected by tubing I44 to a gate pressure control valve I45 mounted on the side of housing 24.

8 The valve I45 regulates the pressure of the air supplied to the machine. The outlet side of pilot valve I38 is connected by tubing I46 to air cylinder 10 which controls the downward movement of gate 55 and garment immersing member 51, see Fig. 21.

Projecting radially from the outer periphery of cam I32 and approximately diametrically opposed from roller I43 is a lug I41 which serves as a step for a gravity type spacer member I48. The member I48 is adapted to pivot about a pin I50 which is transversely mounted on brace I35 and extends through an elongated slot I5I, see Fig. 11, formed in the upper portion of the member. A laterally extending arm I52 is provided at the lower portion of member I48 and serves to unbalance the arm such that when the lug I41 of cam I32 is rotated clockwise, the member I48 swings counterclockwise about pin I50 until it finds its normal position as shown in Fig. 11. Extending transversely from the lower portion of member I48 is a finger I53 which is adapted to be engaged by lug I41 of cam I32, see Fig. 12. When member I48 is in its normal position, a portion of arm I52 of member I48 is disposed intermediate the outer periphery of cam I33 and the bottom I54 of piston rod I55 of the main extracting roller control valve I56, see Figs. 9, 11 and 12. Valve I56 will be described more fully later.

An arcuate slot I51 is formed in cam I32, see Fig. 9, through which the lower offset end I59 of rod 11 extends. End I59 likewise extends through an arcuate slot I60 formed in cam I33. Slots I51 and I60 are the same radial distance from shaft I34, however, slot I60 is less than half the length of slot I51, as seen in Fig. 19. When the machine is inoperative slot I60 is approximately centered in slot I51 and the end I59 of rod 11 abuts the upper end of slot I60 as seen in Fig. 19. When cam I32 is rotated clockwise until roller I43 is seated in notch I42, the end I59 of rod 11 likewise abuts the upper end portion of slot I51. Thus before rod 11 can rotate rear cam I33 and cause roller I6I, formed on the outer periphery of cam I33, to engage arm I52 of spacer member I48 and push upwardly piston rod I55 of control valve I56, the end I59 of rod 11 must first travel the length of slot I60 as seen in Fig. 20. This results in a delayed action and thus causes gate 55 to lead extracting roller 23a while they are being lowered. By having the gate 55 lead roller 23a, the operator cannot readily engage the upper roller 23a with his hand and thus affords greater protection to the operator. The relative positions of the cams I32 and I33, when the machine is inoperative and when extracting, are shown in Figs. 19 and 20 respectively.

A second arcuate slot I6I is formed in cam I32 which is adapted to receive a pin I62 only when the pin is in its extended position, see Fig. 12. Pin I62 is slidably mounted on an arm I63 which at one end is pivotally mounted on shaft I34 and at the other, or free, end has rotatably mounted thereon a sprocket I64. The arm I63 is spring biased in a clockwise direction, see Fig. 11, about shaft I34. Pin I62 is adapted to be moved in a transverse direction with respect to arm I63 by the offset end I65 of control rod I66 which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. Offset end I65 engages a loop I61 formed in the adjacent end of pin I62. Control rod I66 extends transversely across the frame 20, as seen in Fig. 9, and is supported at one end by a bearing I69 mounted on shaft I34 and at the other end by a bearing bracket I14. A splicing element I for rod I66 is provided to aid in positioning the rod when assembling the machine. A control ,knob I16 is mounted on the end of rod I66, which is disposed in a recess I11 formed in the side of frame 26, see Figs. 1 and 9. Sprocket I64 is adapted to engage a taut chain I68, see Fig. 8, which cooperates with two other sprockets I16 and 38. The former sprocket I16 is keyed to shaft 89, which as heretofore mentioned, is driven through a pulley and belt combination by motor 18. Sprocket 38, as heretofore mentioned, is keyed to the shaft 31 of extracting roller 2312. A cam link I1I has been substituted for one of the links of chain I68. The cam link I1I, as seen in Fig. 8, is provided with a downwardly extending nub. Thus as the taut chain I66 passes over sprocket I64 mounted on arm I63, the nub, formed on the cam link "I, engages the. teeth of sprocket I64 and causes the latter to yield a slight amount. The arm I63, on which the sprocket I64 is mounted, in turn is caused to move aslight amount in a counterclockwise direction about shaft I34, whereupon the cam I32, when pin I62 is extended and disposed within slot I 6|, is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. and automatically returns the machine to its inoperative position. When the pin I62 is in its retracted position-that is to say withdrawn from slot I6I'the extracting rollers remain in continuous operation and must be'rendered inoperative by the operator tripping one of the safety releases I12 and I13, which will be more thoroughly discussed later. i

A third arcuate slot I18 is provided on cam I32, see Figs. 19 and 20, which is diametrically opposite from slot I51 and approximately the same radial distance from shaft I34. A slot I86 of slightly greater length than slot I18 is formed in cam I33 and is in registration with slot I18. The offset end I8I of a vertical trip rod I82 extends through slots I18 and I86. The upper end of trip rod I92 is pivotally connected to a bellcrank lever I83 which in turn is pivotally mounted on unit 36' at point I84, see Fig. 9. Likewise pivotally connected to lever I83 is a horizontally extending push rod I85. The free end I86 of rod I85 is bent downwardly a slight amount and is disposed adjacent safety release I 12. The release I12 is spring held in a suitable o enin formed in the upper portion of housing 24. When the gate 55 is in its up or inoperative position. the releaseis prevented from being pushed in by the operator because of the side portion 56 of the gate, which encloses the ends of the rollers when in its down position. If for any reason, the operator desires to release the rollers from their extracting position, he may merely push in safety release I12 with his forehead or shoulder which will cause cams I32 and I33 to move from the position s own in Fig. 26 to t e posit on sho n in Fig. 19 by reason of the pushing force being transmitted to the cams through rods I82 and I85.

A second trip rod I81 is pivotally mounted, on cam I 32 at point I88 and extends horizontally therefrom across the frame 26. The rod I81 terminates adjacent safety release I 13 and is adapted to be actuated thereby. Safety release I13 is spring held within a suitable opening formed in the-side of the frame and is positioned beneath release I12 and may be actuated by'the thigh or knee of the operator. Rod I81 when it is actuated by release I13 has the same effect on cam I32 as rod I82, heretofore described.

Pivotally mounted on cam I32 at point I96 is a the gate and the extracting rollers.

lever I9I which is actuated in a counterclockwise direction by a spring actuated extensible rod I92. The lower end of rod I92 is pivotally mounted at point I93 to the housing I 46 for pilot valve I38. The upper end of rod I92 is pivotally connected to lever I9I. As the cams I32 and I33 are rotated to a position as shown in Fig. 20, lever I9I is caused to rotate counterclockwise by rod I92, until the lower end of the lever is aligned with slot I51 of cam I32, see Fig. 11. The offset end I59 of rod 11, which is actuated by the gate 55 and garment immersing member 51, cannot slide upwardly in slots I51 and I66, once the cams have been rotated to t e positions shown in Fig. 20, without striking lever I 9| and thereby cause the cams to be rotated counterclockwise and open Thus the operator by pulling up on the basket element 6| of garment immersing member 51, may stop the extracting rollers and open the gate.

To start the machine, as heretofore mentioned, requires simultaneous two hand operation. Right and left handed buttons I94 and I95 respectively are arranged on the side and front surfaces respectively of the frame 26 as seen in Fig. 1. Button I94 is positioned within a cup I96 and is secured to the outer end of an actuating rod I91 which extends through suitable openings formed in the side of the frame and bottom of the cup. A spring I98 within cup I 96 normally holds the rod and button in the position shown in Fig. 13. The rod I91 is slidably mounted on a brace 266 and the inner end of the rod abuts the edge of an arm 26I whose upper end is hingedly mounted at point I 99 on a post 262 which in turn is swivelly mounted on brace 266.

Button I95 is disposed in a recess 263 formed in the operator side of the frame and is secured by a linkage 269 whi h extends through a suitable opening formed in the bottom of the recess, to one leg 264 of a substantially U-shaped rockably mounted rod 265, see Fig. 13. The rod 265 is disposed obliquely with respect to the top 2I of the frame 26 and is sup orted at its upper end by a strap 266 which is mounted on the adjacent vertical side 261 of the frame. At the lower end of the U-shaped rod 265, the web portion 268 thereof extends beyond the lower leg 2 I 6 and is supported by brace296. The rod is adapted to rotate about the web portion 268 as an axis thereby causing the lower leg 2I6 of the rod to engage the back surface 2 I I of arm 26I and pivot the arm about post 262 as an axis, when the operator depresses button I95, see Fig. 15. In the starting of the machine a definite sequence of operation must be followed in depressing the buttons I94 and I95. First button I94 is depressed causing arm 26I to pivot about point I99 thereby resulting in the free end of actuating rod I36 being properly aligned with respect to the front surface 2I2 of the arm. While the arm is held in this position, button I 95 is depressed causing U-shaped rod 265 to rotate about its web portion 268 as an axis and cause the lower leg ,2 I6 to engage the back surface 2 I I of the arm 26I and to turn the latter about post 262 as an axis and exert a longitudinal force on rod I36 which in turn. effects a clockwise rotation of cam I32.

An elongated rod 2I3, positioned above and parallel to rod I36, extends across the frame 26, see Figs. 9and 13 through 15, and .is adapted to move arm 26I back to the position shown in Fig. 13 when the cam I33 is rotated in a clockwise direction. Rod 2 I3 is supported at its inner end by a strap 2m and at its other end by a brace I14 11 both of which are mounted on the frame. The inner end 2I5 of rod 2 I3 is offset at substantially a right angle and is adapted to be engaged by either of lugs 2I6 or 2H which are mounted on the outer periphery of cam I33, see Fig. 9. The outer end 2 I8 of rod 2 I3 is substantially z-shaped and engages the edge of arm 26! opposite from that engaged by actuating rod I92. As cam I33 is rotated in a clockwise direction, lug 2 I 6 engages inner end 2 I5 and causes the ends of the rod 2 I3 to be moved downwardly. As Z-shaped end 2H3 swings downwardly it causes arm I to pivot in a clockwise direction about point I99 to the position shown in Fig. 13. When the arm 26I is so positioned, push rod I36 and arm 26I are out of alignment with respect to each other. When cam I33 returns to its normal rest position lug 2H engages the inner end of rod 2I3 and swings it upwardly.

Thus it will be seen that both hands of the operator are required to manipulate the buttons and cause the machine to operate. This dual hand control cannot be circumvented by the operator tying down one of the buttons. For ex ample, if button I94 is tied down, the abutting adjacent edge of the arm ZDI is prevented from properly aligning itself with the corresponding inner end of actuating rod I91, see Fig. 15; thus, the arm could not be subsequently pivoted again about point I99. If button I95 is tied down the same effect results, namely the inner end of actuating rod I61 could not subsequently abut the corresponding edge of arm 26I.

A small spring 220 is provided, see Fig. 9, having one end secured to brace I'M and the other end secured to rod I36, to insure positive engagement of the end of the rod by the front surface 2 I2 of arm 2IlI.

The main extracting roller control valve I56. as heretofore mentioned, is actuated by the spacer member I48 and the roller I6! formed on the outer periphery of cam I33. As seen in Figs. 11 and 12 the valve housing 22! is substantially cylindrical in shape and is provided with three vertically spaced ports 222, 223, and 224. The valve rod I is slidably mounted within housing HI and extends through an opening formed in the bottom of the housing. Rod I55 is normally forced downwardly by a coil spring 225 disposed within the upper cavity 226. Cavity 226 is adjacent port 222. A disc 22! mounted on the upper end of rod I55 and disposed within cavity 226 is adapted to be normally seated and close oi the passage 228 to the center cavity 230 which is adjacent port 223. A second disc 23 I mounted on rod I55, is disposed within a lower cavity 232 formed in housing 22I adjacent lower port 224. Disc 23I is adapted to close off a connecting passage 233 from center cavity 236 to lower cavity 232, when rod I55 is pushed upwardly by cam I33. Port 222 is connected by means of suitable tubing, 239, see Fig. 21, to a pressure regulating valve 234, which is mounted on housing 24 above gate pressure valve I45, see Figs. 6, 7 and 21. Regulating valve 234 controls the extracting pressure exerted on the garment or article by the upper extracting roller 23a, heretofore described. The middle port 223 is connected by suitable tubing 240 to a T connection, 24I which has one leg leading to air cylinder assembly 45 and the other leg leading to air cylinder I00, see Fig. 21, the latter which controls the operation of the braking and belt-tightening mechanism, as heretofore described. Bottom port 224 is an exhaust port for bleeding ofi the air from cylinders 45 and I06 12 when cam I33 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction.

As seen in Fig. 1, two hand switches 235 and 236 are mounted on the operator side of the ma chine. The former is for supplying electric power to motor 18 which drives the extracting roller 23b. An indicator light 231 is positioned above switch 235 to indicate when power is being supplied to the motor. Swith 236 is provided for heating element 28, which maintains the starcheous solutions at the desired temperature. An indicator light 238 is likewise provided for this switch.

To simplify understanding of the machine, the steps of operation will be hereinafter indicated. (1) Switches 235 and. 236 for the motor-I8 and heating element 28 are turned on. (2) The operator selects the desired starcheous solution and rotates the containers 26 and 21 until the appropriate one is adjacent housing 24. (3) The garment or article to be starched is positioned between the extracting rollers with the portion thereof to be starched submerged within the starcheous solution. The remainder of the garment is laid out on the upper side I08 of conveyor belt III! of the stacker unit. (4) Control knob I16 is adjusted by the operator for either intermittent or continuous operation. (5) Pressure control valves I45 and 234 are properly set. (6) The right and left hands of the operator are placed on buttons I94 and I95, respectively, and button I94 is first momentarily depressed and while so depressed, button I is depressed causing the gate 55 and member 57 to move downwardly into operative position slightly ahead of the upper extracting roller 23a. (7) As the gate 55 and garment-immersing member 51 and upper roller 23a commence this downward movement, the operator releases buttons I94 and I95. (8) The belt tightening mechanism 86 is actuated by cylinder I06, as gate 55 drops, thereby causing the lower roller 23b to rotate. Simultaneous with the actuation of mechanism 86, the air pressure is transmitted to cylinder 45 thereby causing the upper roller 23a to drop until it engages lower roller 23b. The pressure initially developed in cylinder 45 is relatively small and must only be suflicient to overcome the opposing force of springs 5| and 52. Thus the initial contact or extracting engagement of upper and lower rollers 23a and b respectively is light thereby preventing overload of roller 231) as roller 23a engages it and commences to rotate. Subsequent to upper roller 23a commencing to rotate, the pressure in cylinder 45 builds up until full extracting pressure is developed between the rollers; the garment is then fed through the rollers onto the stacker unit. (9) After the entire garment is fed onto the stacker unit, and cam link III has engaged sprocket I64 and depressed the same. The gate 55 and garment-immersing member 51, and the upper roller 23a are then raised and the driving power to roller 23b is cut off by the belt-tightening mechanism 86 returning to its normal belt slackening position. Simultaneous with the raising of these members, the framework I64 of the stacker unit 25 is tilted to a substantially vertical position and the garment is deposited into the truck I3I which is disposed therebeneath. Steps 3,6-9, afore-enumerated must be repeated for each subsequent garment or article to be starched.

Where the portion of the article or garment to be starched is of considerable length, the operator sets the machine for continuous operation. After the starched portion of the garment has '13 nassedthroue the extract n ollers an o the starchernnit, the operator can raise the gate,

.garmenteimmersing member, and upper roller,

andcause the framework of the stacker unit to tilt by either tripping one of the safetyreleases l12andl13, pulling up on the gate manually, or turningthe control knob I16 to intermittent operation. "By turning knob I16 to intermittent operation :there might be aslight delay before they raise, depending on the relative position of the cam link IH with respect to sprocket I64.

Figs. 23 through 27 show a modified formof recessed basin242 and a gate and feeder assembly 243, which enables the machine to starch anentire garment in one continuous operation. The basin :2 in this instance issubstantially rectangular in shape and has one end thereof slightly enlarged to accommodate the gate and feeder assembly 243. 'It is to be understood, of course, that the modified basin is not necessarily limited to a rectangular shape, but may be of any other desired shape.

Mounted crosswise and approximately centrally of the floor 244 of basin 242 is a ramp 245. The ramp comprises a plurality of transversely spaced grilles or rods 245. Mounted on floor 244 adjacent the lower end of ramp 245 is a fender plate 241. A portion 241 of the fender plate covers over the lower ends of the grilles 246 and'thusprevents any part of thegarment from being caughtand torn by the ends of the grilles while "the garment is being drawn through the extracting rollers 23a and 2327. Furthermore downagainst floor 244. The ramp extends angu- -larly-upwardl yfrom the floor 244 rising to a peak 248' and then the other ends of the grilles extend downwardly and rest on 'a supporting plate 248'which 'is'mounted on the upper surface 249 of a step 252 formed in the enlarged end of the basin 242. The extracting roller 23b is positioned above upper surface 249 of the step 252. Surface 249 thus provides a spill-way for the rollers 23a and-"b.

Mounted on' fioor 244 adjacent step 252 are a pair of upwardly extending bearing members 259 on which .is rotatably mounted an elongated corrugated roller 25!. The roller 25l is disposed transverse with respect to basin 242 as seen in Fig. 23, and has the axis of rotation thereof positioned beneath the ramp 245. The longitudinally spaced ridges 252', see Fig. 27, formed on the periphery of roller 25! protrude between the adiacentgrilles 246. g

The .gate and feeder assembly 243 replaces the gate '55 and garment-immersing member 51, heretofore described. The assembly which is mounted for vertical movement relative to basin 242 comprises a gate member 252. One side edge of gate member 252 is offset at substantially a right angle to form a flange 2 53 which encloses the ends of the extracting rollers 23a and b which are adjacent the operator, when the assembly is in its down position as shown in Fig. 24. The opposite side edge of the gate member is likewise offset at substantially a right angle toform a small flange 254. Flange 254' gives added rigidity to the gate member 252. Formed at the'lower end of flange 254 is an enlarged bearing plate 255, to be hereinafter more fully described. Mountedalong the bottom edge of the middle or center portion 269 of gate member 252 and extending upwardly and inwardly therefrom towards extracting rollers 23a and b is a deflecting plate256.

roller 25].

nding ownwa dly and outw yiromone end ofmiddle portion 26,9..Of gate -member 252 is a bearing bracket 25?. Rotatably mounted between bracket 25! and bearing plate 255 is an elongated feed roller 252. The roller 258, when the assembly 243 is in the down position shown in Fig. 24, frictionally engages the ridges252' of roller 25! and imparts rotationa1 movement thereto. The means for effecting rotation to roller 258 will be hereinafter, more fully described. The shaft 229 of feed roller 258 extends through a suitable opening formed in bearing plate 255 and has keyed to the end thereof a fricltion wheel 25%. Pivotally mounted on shaft 258 and intermediate wheel 26I and plate 255 is a substantially L-shaped member 262. Rotatably mounted on the other end of member 262 is a drive wheel 2% which is adapted to frictionally engage a collar 264 formed on the extended shaft 31 of extracting roller 23?), when theassembly 243 is in its down position, see ,Fig. 1251. Disposed intermediate wheels 25! and 263 and slidably mounted on L-shaped member 262 is an idling wheel 225. Wheel 265 is rotatably mounted on a stud 256 which in turn is mounted on a slide piece 251. Stud 2% extends through an elongated slot 268 formed in L-shaped member 252 approximately equidistant from Wheels -26l and 263. Piece 261 is disposed on the opposite side of the L-shapedmember 262 from thewheel 255. The lower end of piece 261 extends beneath member 252 and has transversely mounted thereon a second stud2'iil. The free end of stud 21,0 is'embraced by a coil spring 21!. The lower end of spring .2?! is fastened to a finger 2 which is mounted on bearing plate 255. Projecting transversely from plate 255 and above finger 212 is a stop 213 Whichis adapted to engage the lower end of slide piece 26?. Coil .Shfing 21] causes the idling wheel 225 to'normally engage the peripheries of wheels 26! and 263.

When the assembly 243 is in its up position, as shown in dotted linesin Fig, 24, the L-shaped member 262 due to gravitational force .is caused to pivot in a clockwise direction about shaft 260 of feed roller-258. As the assembly is moved to its down position, drive wheel 263 engages collar 254 causing L-shaped member 252 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction about shaft 260 and tend to force idling wheel 265 up. Because of the force exerted by coil spring 21| counteracting this upward force, idling wheel 225 is caused to more positively engage the peripheries of wheels 25! and 263 and thereby increase the frictional drive between the wheels 26I and 263. The rotation of extracting roller 23b is thus transmitted to feed roller 258. An arcuate cover 214 extends transversely from bearing plate 255 and partially surrounds wheels 28L 253, and 265.

When employing the modified basin 242 and assembly 2 53, the operator causes the assembly to be moved to its down position'by depressing buttons I94 and I95 as heretofore described whereupon the operator immerses the whole garment in the basin and directs an end of the garment between feed roller 253 and corrugated The remainder of the garment then passes between these rollers, and the ramp 245 and deflector plate256 direct the garment to pass between extracting rollers 23a and b and onto the stacker unit 25.

Thus it will be seen that a starching machine has been provided which has numerous foolproof safety features. Secondly, the machine is simple in construction and does not necessitate persons possessed of any particular skill to operate. The availability of solutions of variable starch concentrates and the continuous and intermittent operating feature of the machine enables a wide variety of articles or garments to be effectively starched thereby. Furthermore a starching machine has been provided which enables the operator to readily adjust the extracting pressure exerted on the starched article or garment.

While a particular embodiment of this invention is shown above it is to be understood, of course, that the invention is not to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, and it is contemplated, therefore, by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. A machine for starching garments and the like comprising a supporting frame having a substantially flat top, a container for a starchy solution mounted on said top, garment-extracting means mounted on said top adjacent said container for movement into and out of extracting relation, and dual control means mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said garment-extracting means for actuating the latter into extracting relation only upon simultaneous manipulation of said control means.

2. A machine for starching garments and the like comprising a supporting frame having a substantially flat top, a container for solutions of variable starch concentrates revolvably mounted on said top, garment-extracting and feeding means mounted upright on said top adjacent said container for movement into and out of extracting relation, and remotely placed hand-operated control means mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said extracting and feeding means for actuating the latter into extracting relation only upon simultaneous manipulation of said control means.

3. A machine for starching garments and the like comprising a supporting frame having a substantially fiat top, a partitioned container having compartments for solutions of variable starch concentrate revolvably mounted on said top and recessed with respect thereto, garmentextracting and feeding elements mounted on said top adjacent said container for movement into and out of extracting engagement with respect to one another, and remotely disposed dual-hand operated control means mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said elements for actuating the latter into extracting engagement only upon simultaneous manipulation of said control means.

4. A machine for starching garments and the like comprising a supporting frame having a substantially flat top, a container for a starchy solution mounted on but recessed from said top, garment-extractin means mounted on said top adjacent said container for movement into and out of extracting relation, a vertically movable protective gate mounted on said frame adjacent said extracting means, said gate when in a down position being disposed intermediate said container and said means and partially enclosing the latter, and dual-hand operated control means mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said extracting means and said gate for actuating said extracting means into extracting relation and effecting downward movement of said gate only upon simultaneous manipulation of said control means.

5. A machine for starching garments and the like comprising a supporting frame having a substantially flat top, a container for starchy solutions revolvably mounted on said top and recessed with respect to the plane of said top, a pair of elongated rollers, one of said rollers being rotatably mounted on said top adjacent said container and the other of said rollers being mounted on said frame and disposed thereabove and movably vertically into and out of extracting relation with respect to said first-mentioned roller, power means mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said second-mentioned roller for effecting vertical movement of said latter roller into extracting relation, and dualhand control means mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said power means and remotely disposed with respect to said rollers for actuating said power means only upon simultaneous manipulation of said control means.

6. A machine for starchin garments and the like comprising a supporting frame having a substantially flat top, a container for a starchy solution mounted on but recessed from said top, power-actuated garment-extracting means mounted on said top and adjacent said container for movement into and out of extracting relation, and dual-hand manipulated control means mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said extracting means for effecting movement of the latter into extracting relation; said control means being remotely disposed with respect to said extracting means and requiring simultaneous manipulation of said control means to effect movement of said extracting means.

7. A starching machine comprising a supporting frame having a substantially flat top, a container for a starchy solution detachably and revolvably mounted on but recessed from said top, power actuated garment-extracting means mounted on said top adjacent said container for movement into and out of extracting relation. means mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said extracting means for regulating the extracting pressure thereof, and control means mounted on said frame and remotely positioned with respect to said extracting means and operatively connected thereto for effecting movement of said extracting means into extracting relation only upon simultaneous two-hand manipulation of said control means.

8. A machine for starching garments and the like comprising a supporting frame having a substantially flat top, a container for a starchy solution mounted on but recessed from said top, cooperating extracting elements mounted on said top adjacent said container, one of said elements being movable vertically into and out of extracting relation with a second element, a vertically movable protective gate mounted on said top and when in a down position being disposed intermediate said container and extracting means and partially enclosing the latter when in extracting relation, and a vertically movable garment-immetrsing member operatively connected to said ga e.

9. A machine for starching garments and the like comprising a supporting frame having a substantially flat top, a partitioned container for solutions of variable starch concentrates revolvably mounted on but recessed from said top, power-actuated garment-extracting and feeding means mounted. on said top adjacent said container for movement into and out of extracting relation, a power-actuated, vertically movable protective gate mounted on said top adjacent said extracting means and when in a down position being disposed between said container and extracting means and partially enclosing the latter, a laterally and downwardly extending garmentiinmersing member mounted on said gate, and dual-hand control means mounted on said frame and remotely positioned with respect to said gate and extracting means and operatively connected thereto for actuating the same, only upon simultaneous two-hand manipulation of said. control means.

10. A machine for starching garments and the like comprising a supporting frame having a substantially flat top, a recess formed substantially centrally of said top, a circular shaped container for solutions of variable starch concentrate revolvably mounted within said-recess, said container having a compartment-forming partition, power actuated garment extracting means mounted on said top adjacent said recess, and dual control means mounted on said frame and remotely positioned with respect to said extracting means and operatively connected thereto for effecting movement thereof only upon simultaneous manipulation of said control means,

11. A machine for starching garments and the like comprising a supporting frame having asubstantially fiat top, a container for a starchy solution mounted on but recessed from said top, power-actuated garment-extracting and feeding means mounted on said top adjacent said container for movement into and out of extracting and feeding relation, power-actuated garmentreceiving and conveying means mounted on said frame adjacent said extracting means but on the side thereof opposite from said container and operatively connected to said garment-extracting and feeding means.

12. A machine for starching garments and the like comprising a supporting frame having a substantially flat top, containers for starchy solutions arranged in abutting relation with respect to one another and mounted on but recessed from said top, garment-extracting and feeding means mounted upright on said top adjacent said container for movement into and out of extracting and feeding relation, and garment-receiving and conveying means mounted on said frame adjacent said extracting means and on the side thereof opposite from said container, said second-mentioned means comprising an elongated conveyor type table extending laterally from said frame and aligned substantially with the plane of said top, said table being tiltable to substantially a transverse plane when said extracting and feeding means assumes a nonextracting and nonfeeding relation.

13. A machine for starching garments and the like comprising a supporting frame having asubstantially horizontal top, a container for a starchy solution mounted on and recessed from said top mounted upright on said frame for movement into and out of extracting relation, garment-extracting means, a vertically movable protective device mounted on said frame and above said top and when in a down position being disposed between said container and extracting means and partially enclosing the latter when in an extracting relation, and a tiltable horizontally disposed conveyor type garment-receiving table mounted on said frame and extending laterally therefrom and being tiltable to a substantially vertical plane when said extracting means moves out of extracting relation.

14. A machine for starching garments and the like comprising a supporting frame having a substantially flat top, a container for a starchy solution mounted on said top, operable garment-extracting means mounted on said top adjacent said container for movement into and out of extracting relation, and an adjustable extracting meansoperating device mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said extracting means whereby when in one position of adjustment said extracting means is in continuous extracting relation and when in a second position of adjustment said extracting means is in extracting relation for only a predetermined length of time.

15. A machine" for starching garments and the like comprising a supporting frame having a substantially flat top, a pair of semicircular containers for a starchy solution arranged in abutting relation and detachably mounted on and recessed from said top, garment-extracting means mounted upright on said top adjacent said container for vertical movement into and out of extracting relation, a vertically movable protective device mounted upright on said frame and adjacent said means, said device when in a down position being positioned intermediate said container and said means and partially enclosing the latter, and a garment-immersing element mounted on said device and movable therewith and adapted to be disposed within said container when in a down position.

16. A machine for starching garments and the like comprising a supporting frame having a substantialy flat top, a recessed basin for a starchy solution formed in said top, garment-extracting rollers mounted on said top adjacent one side of said basin for movement into and out of extracting relation, 9, rotatably mounted corrugated roller disposed within said basin along the side thereof adjacent said extracting rollers, an angularly disposed ramp mounted within said basin and extending over said corrugated roller, said ramp being provided with an opening through which a portion of the periphery of said corrugated roller protrudes, a vertically movable gate mounted on said top and operatively connected to one of said extracting rollers and when in a down position being disposed intermediate said basin and said extracting rollers and partially enclosing the latter, and means mounted on said gate and engaging said corrugated roller and one of said extracting rollers when said gate is in its down position to effect simultaneous rotation of said corrugated and extracting rollers.

17. A machine for starching garments and the like comprising a supporting frame having a substantially flat top, a recessed basin for a starchy solution formed in said top, power-actuated garment-extracting means mounted on said top adjacent one side of said basin for vertical movement into and out of extracting relation, an elongated element rotatably mounted within said basin adjacent said one side of said basin, a vertically movable gate mounted on said top and adapted, when in its down position, to be disposed intermediate said basin and extracting means and partially enclose the latter, garmentfeeding means mounted on said gate and engageable with said elongated element only when said gate is in a down position, and means mounted on said gate and rotatably engageable with said garment-feeding means and said garment-exprising a supporting frame having a substantially fiat top, a recessed basin for a starchy solution formed in said top and having one side portion thereof stepped, an elongated roller rotatably mounted within said basin adjacent said stepped portion and positioned in substantially parallel relation therewith, a ramp mounted within said basin and extending angularly upward therefrom over said elongated roller, said ramp being provided with an elongated opening through which a portion of said elongated roller protrudes, power-driven garment-extracting means mounted on said top above the stepped portion of said basin for movement into and out of extracting relation, a vertically movable gate mounted on said top and operatively connected to said extracting means and when in a down position partially enclosing said extracting means, a, feeder element rotatably mounted on the lower portion of said gate and being frictionally engageable with the protruding portion of said elongated roller when said gate is in said down position, and feeder element drive means mounted on said gate and operatively connected to said feeder element and being drivingly engageable with said power-driven extracting means only when said gate is in said down position.

19. A machine for starching garments and the like comprising a frame having a substantially horizontal top, a container for a starchy solution 20 mounted on and recessed from said top, an upright, open-sided housing mounted on said top adjacent said container, power-actuated garment-extracting means mounted on said housing for movement into and out of extracting relation, a power-actuated shield mounted for vertical movement on said housing and when in a down position being disposed intermediate said container and extracting means and partially enclosing the latter, dual-hand control means operatively connected to said extracting means and said shield, saidv extracting means and shield being actuated downwardly only upon simultaneous manipulation of said control means, and safety releases mounted on said frame and housing and operatively connected to said extracting means for eifecting movement of the latter out of extracting relation upon manipulation of any of said releases.

ROY M. SCHULTZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,925,364 Ault Sept. 5, 1933 2,086,498 -Greldhof July 6, 1937 2,169,457 Allsup Aug. 15, 1939 2,224,019 Hutchings Dec. 3, 1940 

